Method for delivering dynamic policy rules to an end user, according on his/her account balance and service subscription level, in a telecommunication network

ABSTRACT

The method comprises the steps of:
         the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) receiving (Step  1 ) user&#39;s subscription information, in order to determine an initial policy;   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) applying (Step  2 ) the initial rules;   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) triggering (Step  3 ) the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) for the user&#39;s service/network resource usage;   the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) rating and charging (step  4 ) the user, in real time;   the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) triggering (Step  5 ) a change of policy in the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF);   the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) determining (Step  6 ) new rules for the new policy;   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) receiving (Step  7 ) the new rules and applying them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method for deliveringdynamic policy rules to an end user, according on his/her accountbalance and service subscription level, in a telecommunication network,and system for implementing this method. It peculiarly concerns the 3GPPmobile networks. For instance, in a 3G/3G+/LTE mobile telecommunicationnetwork, the policy rules may concern the dynamic bandwidth managementas a function of the prepaid user's account information (subscription,counters . . . ). For instance, a user's account information maycomprise:

1) His/Her Subscription:

-   -   A flat fee bundle for unlimited volume usage for restricted        Day/Time intervals (e.g. 10 Euros monthly for this unlimited        off-peak bundle). This flat fee is linked with a given        restricted quality of service (QoS)/bandwidth.    -   An end-of-bundle/out-of-bundle usage with run-on prepaid tariff        (e.g. 1 euro/Mb). This tariff is linked with another better        QoS/bandwidth.

2) His/Her Loyalty Points/Usage Counters:

-   -   If his/her monthly usage is lower than 500 Mb, for instance,        then packet session is linked with a given restricted        QoS/bandwidth.    -   If his/her monthly usage is greater than 500 Mb, then packet        session is linked with a better QoS/bandwidth.

In a 3G/3G+/LTE mobile telecommunication network, these prepaidaccount's subscription or data are managed on the Online Charging System(OCS). Indeed, as per 3GPP standard TS 32.296, the OCS handles theAccount Balance Management Function (ABMF), by hosting, in a centralizedway, these account dynamic data that may change due to multiplesimultaneous charging events (calls, short messages, . . . ).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The document 3GPP TS 32.296 describes the charging functionality andcharging management in 3GPP networks. It covers all internal aspects ofthe Online Charging System (OCS). The document contains the architectureand functions of the OCS logical components and thereby derives thefunctionality of the OCS interfaces.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional architecture of anembodiment of the policy and charging control function, according to thedocument 3GPP TS 23.203. It comprises:

-   -   an Online Charging System, OCS, comprising a Service Data Flow        based Credit Control, SDFBCC;    -   an Offline Charging System, OFCS;    -   an application AF;    -   a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function BBERF;    -   a subscription Profile Repository, SPR;    -   a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF;    -   a gateway GW comprising a Policy and Charging Enforcement        Function, PCEF.

A Gxx reference point resides between the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF and the Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function BERF.

The Gxx reference point is used for:

-   -   Provisioning, update and removal of QoS rules from the PCRF to        the BBERF.    -   Transmission of traffic plane events from the BBERF to the PCRF.    -   Transmission of events reported by the PCEF to the BBERF via the        PCRF.

The Gxx reference point enables a PCRF to have dynamic control over theBBERF behaviour. The Gxx reference point enables the signalling of QoScontrol decisions and it supports the following functions:

-   -   Establishment of Gxx session by BBERF.    -   Termination of Gxx session by BBERF or PCRF.    -   Establishment of Gateway Control Session by the BBERF.    -   Termination of Gateway Control Session by the BBERF or PCRF.    -   Request for QoS decision from BBERF to PCRF.    -   Provision of QoS decision from PCRF to BBERF;    -   Delivery of Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network        (IP-CAN) specific parameters from PCRF to BBERF or from BBERF to        PCRF.    -   Negotiation of IP-CAN bearer establishment mode (UE-only and        UE/NW).

A QoS control decision consists of zero or more QoS rule(s) and IP-CANattributes. A Gxx session serves as a channel for communication betweenthe BBERF and the PCRF.

A Gx reference point resides between the PCRF and the PCEF. The Gxreference point enables a PCRF to have dynamic control over the PolicyCharging Control (PCC) behaviour at a PCEF. The Gx reference pointenables the signalling of PCC decision, which governs the PCC behaviour,and it supports the following functions:

-   -   Request for PCC decision from PCEF to PCRF.    -   Provision of PCC decision from PCRF to PCEF.    -   Delivery of Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network        (IP-CAN) specific parameters from PCRF to PCEF, or from PCEF to        PCRF; this applies only when Gxx is deployed.    -   Negotiation of IP-CAN bearer establishment mode.    -   Termination of Gx session (corresponding to an IP-CAN session)        by PCEF or PCRF.

A PCC decision consists of zero or more PCC rule(s) and IP-CANattributes.

A Gy reference point resides between the Charging Enforcement FunctionPCEF and the Service Data Flow based Credit Control SDFBCC. The Gyreference point allows online credit control for service data flow basedcharging. The functionalities required across the Gy reference point aredefined in 3GPP TS 32.251 [9] and is based on RFC 4006 [4].

A Gz reference point resides between the Charging Enforcement FunctionPCEF and the Offline Charging System POFCS. The Gz reference pointenables transport of service data flow based offline charginginformation. The Gz interface is specified in TS 32.240 [3].

A Sp reference point resides between the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF and the Subscription Profile Repository SPR. The Spreference point allows the PCRF to request subscription informationrelated to the IP-CAN transport level policies from the SPR based on asubscriber ID, a PDN (Packet Data Network) identifier and possiblefurther IP-CAN session attributes. The Sp reference point allows the SPRto notify the PCRF when the subscription information has been changed ifthe PCRF has requested such notifications. The SPR shall stop sendingthe updated subscription information when a cancellation notificationrequest has been received from the PCRF.

An Rx reference point resides between the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF and the Application Function AF. This reference pointenables transport of application level session information from AF toPCRF.

Such information includes, but is not limited to:

-   -   IP filter information to identify the service data flow, for        policy control and/or differentiated charging.    -   Media/application bandwidth requirements for QoS control.

The Rx reference point enables the AF subscription to send notificationson signalling path status of AF session in the IP-CAN.

The application of a policy at the starting of a session is supportedthanks to a request Sp to the Subscription Profile Repository SPR.

The notification of a policy change during a session is supported, atthe request of the application function AF, by a request Rx (P-CSEFrequest, video or multimedia application requests, etc. . . . ). But thenotification of a policy change is not supported when user's accountcounters change. Thus, there is a need to provide a technical solutionfor notification of a policy change when user's account counters change.

This can be solved by applying, the method and the system according tothe invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a method for delivering dynamic policyrules to an end user, according on his/her account balance and servicesubscription level, in a telecommunication network comprising:

-   -   a Policy and Charging Rules Function,    -   a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function,    -   an Extended Online Charging System;        -   characterized in that it comprises the steps of:    -   the Policy and Charging Rules Function receiving user's        subscription information, in order to determine an initial        policy;    -   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function applying the        initial rules;    -   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function triggering the        Extended Online Charging System for the user's service/network        resource usage;    -   the Extended Online Charging System rating and charging the        user, in real time;    -   the Extended Online Charging System triggering a change of        policy in the Policy and Charging Rules Function;    -   the Policy and Charging Rules Function determining new rules for        the new policy;    -   the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function receiving the new        rules and applying them.

Thanks to this method, there is an interface between the Online ChargingSystem and the Policy and Charging Rules Function, in order to performOnline Charging System server-initiated notification towards the Policyand Charging Rules Function of any change in policy in the networkresource management, due to account's data changes controlled by theOnline Charging System.

Another object of the inventionis a system for implementing the methodaccording to the invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of thepresent invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to illustrate in detail features and advantages of embodimentsof the present invention, the following description will be withreference to the accompanying drawings. If possible, like or similarreference numerals designate the same or similar components throughoutthe figures thereof and description, in which:

FIG. 1, described above, is a block diagram showing the functionalarchitecture of an embodiment of the policy and charging controlfunction, according to the document 3GPP TS 23.203.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional architecture of anembodiment of the policy and charging control function, according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a signaling flow in the embodiment represented on FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional architecture of anembodiment of the policy and charging control function, according to theinvention. It comprises, as the known embodiment described above:

-   -   an Extended Online Charging System, EOCS, comprising:        -   a Service Data Flow Based Credit Control, SDFBC, similar to            the classical one,        -   a Subscription Profile Repository, SPR, which is extended            based on ABMF. Subscriber charge/payment plan, tariff index            will be mapped in the subscriber profile to be downloaded to            PCRF        -   and an application function AF, such as a notification            application function for baring/unbarring the service            access, usage, change of policies;    -   an Offline Charging System, OFCS;    -   a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function BBERF similaro the        classical one;    -   a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF similar to the        classical one;    -   a gateway GW comprising a Policy and Charging Enforcement        Function PCEF similar to the classical one.

The reference point Gy is used as usual for rating and charging. Howeverthere are two supplementary interfaces:

-   -   A first interface (optional) I1 that is similar to the classical        reference point Sp, in order to get user's subscription (QoS        information) from the Subscription Profile Repository SPR to the        Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF, upon user's        subscription; and to transmit data from the Extended Online        Charging System OCS SPR function to the Policy and Charging        Rules Function PCRF, at the start of a packet session        establishment for initial policy/QoS application. I1 transfers        user subscription and charging plan index from SRF of the EOCS        to PCRF

A second interface I2 that is Rx interface like, to be enhanced withpolicy information such as QoS level, in order to transmit any change ofcharging/payment plan due to service change and subscriber counterchange beyond a threshold preset at EOCS, upon user's subscription datachange, from the Online Charging System OCS to the Policy and ChargingRules Function PCRF for PCC rule change, during a packet session. Thenthis notification is forwarded from the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF viaGx reference point, for enforcement.

In this embodiment, the method comprises the following steps:

Step 1: The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF requests user'ssubscription and charging/payment information, from the SubscriptionProfile Repository, SPR, in the Extended Online Charging System EOCS,via the interface I1, in order to determine an initial policy. This step1 is optional as the Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF can requestthis subscription data from an external Subscription Profile Repository,such as an existing Subscription Profile Repository in an existing HomeSubscriber Server (HSS) in the operator's network. For example, in some3G/3G+ networks, the HSS is not mandatory/present, thus the ExtendedOnline Charging System EOCS shall provide the SPR function.

Step 2: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF applies theinitial rules corresponding to the initial policy supplied by the PCRF.

Step 3: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF triggers theService Data Flow Based Credit Control, SDFBC, in the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS, for the user's service/network resource usagecharging.

Step 4: The Service Data Flow Based Credit Control, SDFBC, rates andcharges the user, in real time. SDFBC successfully answers to the PCEFby allocating a service units quota (shall it be volume units, timeunits or specific service units for the given service, please refer tothe TS 32.299 for the Credit Control Charging application) to enable theservice authorization in the network. When receiving the quotaallocation, the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF shallmonitor the quota usage and any service change or addition in thenetwork (could be based on threshold rules set from PCRF). The Policyand Charging Enforcement Function PCEF shall update the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS for any counters and rating conditions change.

At a given time, during the current session, user's counters or ratingconditions are changed.

Step 5: In the Extended Online Charging System EOCS, the ApplicationFunction AF triggers a change of policy in the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF, via the interface I2.

Step 6: The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF determines new rulescorresponding to the new policy.

Step 7: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF receives thenew rules and applies them, and updates IP-CAN session. It optionallyupdates charging conditions.

The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function service logic is enhancedto manage this new policy change due to the Extended Online ChargingSystem policy notification via the Policy and Charging Rules FunctionPCRF, and along with the Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Networksession update.

FIG. 3 shows the signaling flow in the embodiment represented on FIG. 2.It comprises the following steps:

Step 30: The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF requests the user'sprofile along with user's payment plans, from either the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS, or an external Subscription Profile Repository, orboth, in order to get user's subscription and payment information. Thissubscription information shall enable the Policy and Charging RulesFunction PCRF to determine the initial rules for both policy control andcharging.

Step 31: The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF then initiates theInternet Protocol Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) sessionestablishment with the initial rules via the Policy and ChargingEnforcement Function PCEF/Bearer Binding and Event Reporting FunctionBBERF as per the TS 32.203. Initial rules QoS1 are then applied toinitialize the IP-CAN session.

Step 32: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF sends aCredit Control Request, CCR initial, to the Extended Online ChargingSystem EOCS in order to trigger the Online Charging System OCS for theuser's service/network resource usage, with all the service requestrelated information (serviceld, Rating group, QoS1 . . . ).

Step 33: The Extended Online Charging System EOCS performs onlinecharging operation to authorize the service usage:

-   -   check the account credit,    -   rate (e.g. 10 Mo=5€) Et reserve (cost),    -   allocate a quota (e.g. 10 Mo),    -   calculate the cumulated spending (e.g. 45 €), and sends a Credit        Control Answer, CCA (serviceld, Rating group, Granted=10 Mo . .        . ), to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF in        order to enable the service usage and monitoring.

The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF shall monitor theallocated quota usage and any service change or addition in the network.It shall update and report to the Extended Online Charging System EOCSfor any used counters and rating conditions change. It will also updateand report to the Extended Online Charging System EOCS per thresholdscharging rules from the Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF, as someof them are defined by the Subscription Profile Repository SPR of theExtended Online Charging System EOCS and relayed to the Policy andCharging Rules Function PCRF in Step 30.

Step 34: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF sends aCredit Control Update CCR update (serviceld, Rating group, Consumed=10Mo . . . ) to the Service Data Flow Based Credit Control SDFBC in theExtended Online Charging System EOCS, in order to make it:

-   -   calculate the consumed debit (e.g. 5 €),    -   calculate the cumulated spending (e.g. 50 €),    -   upgrade to QoS2,    -   apply a rating (e.g. 10 Mo =5 €) and a reservation,    -   and make a new quota allocation (e.g. 10 Mo).    -   The Extended Online Charging System EOCS manages also any change        in the rating and user's counters rules to apply and notify any        new tariff/policy in the network resources accordingly.

Step 35: The Extended Online Charging System EOCS sends a Credit ControlAnswer CCA (serviceld, Rating group, Granted=10 Mo . . . ), to thePolicy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF to enable the serviceusage. The Charging Enforcement Function PCEF shall update and report tothe Extended Online Charging System EOCS for any used counters andrating conditions change.

Step 36: When processing the step 34 operation, the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS detects a change in QoS (e.g. QoS2) to provide tothe user's packet service session.

The application Function AF, in the Extended Online Charging SystemEOCS, sends a RX MR (Authentication Authorization Request) to the Policyand Charging Rules Function PCRF in order to enable a session update.Rxx AAR should include subscriber identifier, IP-CAN session identifier,GW identifier, and charging rule change index which will point tosubscriber charging data (counter and plan) changes triggered byCCR[update] received from the Policy and Charging Enforcement FunctionPCEF (at Step 34).

The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF uses the charging rulechange index received from Rx AAR and determines new policy and chargingrules for IP-CAN session. The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRFresponses Rx MA (Authentication Authorization Answer) to the OnlineCharging System EOCS. The Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF sendsnew request via Gx reference point to PCEF/BBERF in order to update theInternet Protocol Connectivity Access Network IP-CAN session.

Step 37:

The enhanced Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF service logicmanage new request of the Policy Charging Control PCC change from thePolicy and Charging Rules Function PCRF due to the Online ChargingSystem EOCS notification via the Policy and Charging Rules FunctionPCRF, and executes the IP-CAN session update.

Step 38: The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCEF sends a CCRupdate (serviceld, Rating group, Consumed=1 Mo, QoS2 . . . ) to theExtended Online Charging System EOCS to update the rating conditionchange related to the QoS change.

Step 39: The Extended Online Charging System EOCS shat anage the newrating rules to apply a new tariff accordingly.

Step 40: When the user ends the packet session, the Policy and ChargingEnforcement Function PCEF sends a Credit Control Request, CCR terminate(serviceld, Rating group, Consumed=6 Mo . . . ), to the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS, in order to terminate the charging process:

-   -   Debit the last consumed units.    -   Update the counters (the cumulated spending=XXX).    -   Generate the CDR.

Step 41: The Extended Online Charging System EOCS sends a Credit ControlAnswer, CCA (serviced, Rating group . . . ), to the Extended OnlineCharging System EOCS to acknowledge the end of the user's session.

The steps 38-39 are the generic Diameter Credit Control Application (asper the TS 32.299 and TS 32.251). Anyhow they can be optional as theremay be or not intermediate CCR/CCA requests exchanges between the Policyand Charging Enforcement Function PCEF and the Extended Online ChargingSystem EOCS along till the end of the user's session.

1-4. (canceled)
 5. An extended online charging system (EOCS) for atelecommunication system to facilitate dynamic management of policyrules for an end user of the telecommunication system during acommunication session, the EOCS comprising: at least one processor andat least one memory including computer program code; at least one firstcommunication interface configured for communications between the EOCSand a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) of the telecommunicationsystem; and at least one second communication interface configured forcommunications between the EOCS and a policy and charging enforcementfunction (PCEF) of the telecommunication system; wherein the at leastone processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, andthe at least one second communication interface are configured toreceive a credit request from the PCEF for allocation of service unitsto a subscriber account associated with a communication session duringthe communication session; wherein the at least one processor, the atleast one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one secondcommunication interface are configured to send a credit answer with anallocation of service units for the subscriber account to the PCEFduring the communication session in response to the credit request,wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units duringthe communication session; wherein the at least one processor, the atleast one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one secondcommunication interface are configured to receive a report on usage ofthe allocated service units from the PCEF during the communicationsession; wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory,and the computer program code are configured to determine a policy/rulechange is needed for the subscriber account based at least in part onthe report from the PCEF; wherein the at least one processor, the atleast one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one firstcommunication interface are configured to send a notification of policychange for the subscriber account to the PCRF during the communicationsession after determining the policy/rule change is needed, wherein thenotification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates thepolicy/rule change is needed and triggers a process for determining thepolicy/rule change for the subscriber account at the PCRF.
 6. The EOCSof claim 5 wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory,the computer program code, and the at least one first communicationinterface are configured to receive a profile request for thesubscription information associated with an end user of thetelecommunication system from the PCRF; wherein the at least oneprocessor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and theat least one first communication interface are configured to send thesubscription information in the subscriber account associated with theend user to the PCRF in response to the profile request, wherein thePCRF determines an initial policy and initial rules for thecommunication session based at least in part on the subscriptioninformation and provides the initial rules to the PCEF, wherein the PCEFapplies the initial rules to the communication session associated withthe subscriber account.
 7. The EOCS of claim 6, further comprising: asubscription profile repository (SPR); wherein the at least one firstcommunication interface comprises a supplementary interface; wherein theSPR is configured to send the subscription information to the PCRF viathe supplementary interface.
 8. The EOCS of claim 5 wherein the at leastone processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program codeare configured to determine a counter associated with usage of theallocated service units for the subscriber account has changed based atleast in part on the report from the PCEF, wherein the determining thepolicy/rule change is needed is in conjunction with the change to thecounter for the subscriber account.
 9. The EOCS of claim 5 wherein thePCRF determines new rules for the subscriber account during thecommunication session based at least in part on the notification ofpolicy change for the subscriber account; wherein the PCRF sends the newrules for the subscriber account to the PCEF; wherein the PCEF appliesthe new rules for the subscriber account to the communication session.10. The EOCS of claim 5, further comprising: a service data flow basedcredit control (SDFBC) configured to receive the credit request from thePCEF, to send the credit answer to the PCEF, and to determine the policyrule change is needed.
 11. The EOCS of claim 5, further comprising: anapplication function (AF); wherein the at least one first communicationinterface comprises a supplementary interface; wherein the AF isconfigured to send the notification of policy change to the PCRF via thesupplementary interface.
 12. A method for delivering dynamic policyrules for an end user of a telecommunication system during acommunication session, comprising: receiving a credit request forallocation of service units to a subscriber account associated with acommunication session during the communication session from a policy andcharging enforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system atan extended online charging systems (EOCS) of the telecommunicationsystem; sending a credit answer with an allocation of service units forthe subscriber account from the EOCS to the PCEF during thecommunication session in response to the credit request, wherein thePCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units during thecommunication session; receiving a report on usage of the allocatedservice units from the PCEF at the EOCS during the communicationsession; determining a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriberaccount based at least in part on the report from the PCEF; sending anotification of policy change for the subscriber account from the EOCSto the PCRF during the communication session after determining thepolicy/rule change is needed, wherein the notification of policy changefor the subscriber account indicates the policy/rule change is neededand triggers a process for determining the policy/rule change for thesubscriber account at the PCRF.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: receiving a profile request for the subscription informationassociated with an end user of the telecommunication system from thePCRF at the EOCS; and sending the subscription information in thesubscriber account associated with the end user from the EOCS to thePCRF in response to the profile request, wherein the PCRF determines aninitial policy and initial rules for the communication session based atleast in part on the subscription information and provides the initialrules to the PCEF, wherein the PCEF applies the initial rules to thecommunication session associated with the subscriber account.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the EOCS includes a subscription profilerepository (SPR), the method further comprising: sending thesubscription information from the SPR to the PCRF.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: determining a counter associated withusage of the allocated service units for the subscriber account haschanged based at least in part on the report from the PCEF, wherein thedetermining the policy/rule change is needed is in conjunction with thechange to the counter for the subscriber account.
 16. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the PCRF determines new rules for the subscriberaccount during the communication session based at least in part on thenotification of policy change for the subscriber account; wherein thePCRF sends the new rules for the subscriber account to the PCEF; whereinthe PCEF applies the new rules for the subscriber account to thecommunication session.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the EOCSincludes a service data flow based credit control (SDFBC), the methodfurther comprising: receiving the credit request from the PCEF at theSDFBC; sending the credit answer from the SDFBC to the PCEF; anddetermining the policy rule change is needed at the SDFBC.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the EOCS includes an application function(AF), the method further comprising: sending the notification of policychange from the AF to the PCRF.
 19. A policy and charging rules function(PCRF) for a telecommunication system to facilitate dynamic managementof policy rules for an end user of the telecommunication system during acommunication session, the PCRF comprising: at least one processor andat least one memory including computer program code; at least one firstcommunication interface configured for communications between the PCRFand an extended online charging system (EOCS) of the telecommunicationsystem; and at least one second communication interface configured forcommunications between the PCRF and a policy and charging enforcementfunction (PCEF) of the telecommunication system; wherein the PCEF sendsa credit request to the EOCS for allocation of service units to asubscriber account associated with a communication session during thecommunication session; wherein PCEF receives a credit answer from theEOCS with an allocation of service units for the subscriber accountduring the communication session; wherein the PCEF monitors usage of theallocated service units during the communication session and sends areport on usage of the allocated service units to the EOCS during thecommunication session; wherein the report from the PCEF is to be used bythe EOCS to determine a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriberaccount; wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory,the computer program code, and the at least one first communicationinterface are configured to receive a notification of policy change forthe subscriber account from the EOCS during the communication session,wherein the notification of policy change for the subscriber accountindicates the policy/rule change is needed; wherein the at least oneprocessor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code areconfigured to determine the policy/rule change for the subscriberaccount in response to the notification of policy change.
 20. The PCRFof claim 19 wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory,the computer program code, and the at least one first communicationinterface are configured to send a profile request for the subscriptioninformation associated with an end user of the telecommunication systemto the EOCS; wherein the at least one processor, the at least onememory, the computer program code, and the at least one firstcommunication interface are configured to receive the subscriptioninformation in the subscriber account associated with the end user fromthe EOCS in response to the profile request; wherein the at least oneprocessor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code areconfigured to determine an initial policy and initial rules for thecommunication session based at least in part on the subscriptioninformation; wherein the at least one processor, the at least onememory, the computer program code, and the at least one secondcommunication interface are configured to provide the initial rules tothe PCEF, wherein the PCEF applies the initial rules to thecommunication session associated with the subscriber account.
 21. ThePCRF of claim 19 wherein the EOCS determines a counter associated withusage of the allocated service units for the subscriber account haschanged based at least in part on the report from the PCEF, wherein thedetermining the policy/rule change is needed by the EOCS is inconjunction with the change to the counter for the subscriber account.22. The PCRF of claim 19 wherein the at least one processor, the atleast one memory, and the computer program code are configured todetermine new rules for the subscriber account during the communicationsession based at least in part on the notification of policy change forthe subscriber account; wherein the at least one processor, the at leastone memory, the computer program code, and the at least one secondcommunication interface are configured to send the new rules for thesubscriber account to the PCEF; wherein the PCEF applies the new rulesfor the subscriber account to the communication session.
 23. The PCRF ofclaim 19 wherein an initial policy for the communication sessionincludes an initial quality of service (QoS) level rule and thepolicy/rule change determined by the PCRF includes a change from theinitial QoS level rule to a new QoS level rule.
 24. A method fordelivering dynamic policy rules for an end user of a telecommunicationsystem during a communication session, comprising: providing a policyand charging rules function (PCRF) in the telecommunication system,wherein the PCRF is configured to communicate with a policy and chargingenforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system and anextended online charging system (EOCS) of the telecommunication system,wherein the PCEF sends a credit request to the EOCS for allocation ofservice units to a subscriber account associated with a communicationsession during the communication session, wherein the EOCS sends acredit answer with an allocation of service units for the subscriberaccount to the PCEF during the communication session in response to thecredit request, wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated serviceunits during the communication session and sends a report on usage ofthe allocated service units to the EOCS during the communicationsession, wherein the EOCS determines a policy/rule change is needed forthe subscriber account based at least in part on the report from thePCEF; receiving a notification of policy change for the subscriberaccount from the EOCS at the PCRF during the communication session afterthe EOCS determines the policy/rule change is needed, wherein thenotification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates thepolicy/rule change is needed; and determining the policy/rule change forthe subscriber account in response to the notification of policy change.25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: sending a profilerequest for the subscription information associated with an end user ofthe telecommunication system from the PCRF to the EOCS; receiving thesubscription information in the subscriber account associated with theend user from the EOCS at the PCRF in response to the profile request;determining an initial policy and initial rules for the communicationsession based at least in part on the subscription information; andproviding the initial rules from the PCRF to the PCEF, wherein the PCEFapplies the initial rules to the communication session associated withthe subscriber account.
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein the EOCSdetermines a counter associated with usage of the allocated serviceunits for the subscriber account has changed based at least in part onthe report from the PCEF, wherein the determining the policy/rule changeis needed by the EOCS is in conjunction with the change to the counterfor the subscriber account.
 27. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising: determining new rules for the subscriber account during thecommunication session based at least in part on the notification ofpolicy change for the subscriber account from the EOCS; and sending thenew rules for the subscriber account from the PCRF to the PCEF, whereinthe PCEF applies the new rules for the subscriber account to thecommunication session.
 28. The method of claim 24 wherein an initialpolicy for the communication session includes an initial quality ofservice (QoS) level rule and the policy/rule change determined by thePCRF includes a change from the initial QoS level rule to a new QoSlevel rule.